BBC - Press Office - Network TV Programme Information Week 42 Blue Peter Feature Programme copy (Blue Peter At 50) The Beginning 1. Blue Peter first aired on 16 October 1958 and transmitted for 15 minutes. 2. The first presenters were Christopher Trace and Leila Williams. Christopher Trace was the stand-in for Charlton Heston in blockbuster Ben-Hur and Leila Williams had been crowned Miss Great Britain the previous year. 3. Blue Peter was created by John Hunter Blair. Throughout the programme's 50-year history, there have been just six editors: Biddy Baxter, Lewis Bronze, Oliver Macfarlane, Steve Hocking, Richard Marson and the current editor Tim Levell. 4. The 50th anniversary edition of the show on 16 October will be programme number 4,406. Ships and Songs 5. Blue Peter is named after the blue and white flag hoisted when a ship is ready to set sail from port. The reasoning for the choice is that the programme is intended to be a voyage of adventure and discovery for the viewers, constantly covering new topics. 6.

The ship's symbol, the Blue Peter Galleon, was designed by much-loved TV artist Tony Hart, who received just £100 for his work – which is worth an estimated £1,537 in today's money. Had he been paid royalties they would have made him a millionaire. 7. The theme tune is called Barnacle Bill. There have been nine versions of the theme tune, and the latest arrangement was introduced for this year's series. The Faces 8. There have been 34 Blue Peter presenters, including this year's new recruits, Helen Skelton and Joel Defries. 9. The longest-serving presenter was John Noakes, who presented the series for 12 and a half years and was 45 when he left. On one famous occasion, John was asked to drop his trousers for the show to show the bruises he had sustained during a bobsleigh film. According to his recollection, he realised that he was wearing his wife's underwear which he had put on by accident in the dark! On 17 May 1976, John Noakes collapsed in the studio due to exhaustion and Lesley Judd had to take over. 10.

John Noakes's famous catchphrase was "Get Down Shep". In 1978, pop group The Barron Knights released a single of the same name which reached No. 44 in the charts. 11. Peter Duncan is the only presenter to do two stints on the show. He became a gold badge holder after he was made Chief Scout in Feb 2007. 12. Yvette Fielding was the youngest-ever presenter. She was 18 when she joined the series. 13. Sarah Greene met her husband, former TV presenter Mike Smith, through Blue Peter whilst being filmed learning to dive on the Mary Rose wreck. 14. The shortest-serving listed presenter was Anita West, who lasted for just four months before returning to her acting career. 15. The following stars applied to be become presenters but didn't make it: Kevin Whately, Sally James, Howard Stableford, Gail Porter, Jake Humphrey, Todd Carty and Sidney Sloane. 16. The famous Blue Peter badge was launched on 17 June 1963. 17. There are six types of badges – Blue, Green, Silver, Gold, Purple and Orange.

Blue can be won by viewers sending in an interesting letter, poem, picture or story, or by appearing on the programme. Silver is for viewers who already have a blue but have to do something different to win one. Green is the environmental award, for viewers who make contributions on "green" subjects. Orange is given to viewers who have been either a winner or runner-up in a Blue Peter competition. The Gold badge is Blue Peter's highest award and is only given to people who have shown outstanding bravery and courage, or have represented their country in an international event. Introduced in 2006, the Purple badge is awarded to "Team Player" children who take an active role in the show, either by reviewing it, suggesting ideas for items or helping with audience research. 18. Famous Gold badge winners include Her Majesty The Queen, who received one in 2001, David Beckham, JK Rowling, Torvill and Dean and Bonnie the Blue Peter dog, who was given one on her retirement in 1991. It has also become tradition to present a leaving presenter with a gold badge on their final show. 19.

In 45 years of the badge scheme it is estimated that the programme has awarded half a million badges. 20. Every guest who comes on the show gets a badge. Celebrities with badges include: Madonna, Tony Blair, Mr Bean, Morph, Ewan McGregor, Dawn French, David Tennant, Catherine Tate, Gordon Brown, Uri Geller (who did his first fork-bending on Blue Peter), David Cassidy, ABBA, Elton John, Carrie Fisher and Pele. Bryony Stokes, 2008 Olympic medallist, wore her Blue Peter badge as she windsurfed to her Bronze medal victory. 21. A Blue Peter badge and certificate will get children of 15 years and under free admission into 200 venues up and down the country. Blue Peter and the Doctor 22. Peter Purves was a Doctor Who assistant before he joined the children's series. 23. Sophie Aldred's Dr Who character, Ace, wore Blue Peter badges which were Sophie's own. 24. A competition to design a Blue Peter monster in 2005 generated 43,920 entries.

The winning monster was the Abzorbaloff, which appeared in the story Love & Monsters. Blue Peter pets 25. Blue Peter's pets are almost as well-known as its presenters. There have been eight dogs, five tortoises, nine cats and two parrots. 26. George the tortoise is the longest-serving pet. He made his first appearance in 1982. When he died in 2004 he was around 81 years old. He is the only pet buried in the Blue Peter garden. He once became amorous with a pair of Sarah Greene's shoes, thinking they were another tortoise… 27. Another tortoise, originally named Fred, had to be renamed Freda when it was discovered he was, in fact, a she. The Trips 28. From Morocco to Mexico and Japan to Jamaica, there have been 43 Blue Peter summer expeditions covering every continent on the globe. 29. During a Blue Peter expedition to Egypt, presenter Tina Heath was caught short with a dodgy tummy and had to use her script as toilet paper! Here's One I Made Earlier 30.

In 1962, a housewife named Margaret Parnell sent in the idea for the first "make" and spent the best part of the next 40 years creating them, designing over 700. 31. Early makes included the classic Christmas Advent crown, doll's hammocks and bird-seed cakes. Recent makes include a Tardis pencil case. 32. The most popular make was Tracy Island, which received 100,000 requests for the Factsheet in 1993. Anthea Turner still has the Tracy Island she made on the show. Helping Out 33. The Blue Peter Appeals started in 1962 when viewers were asked to collect postage stamps to raise money for homes for the homeless. 34. It's estimated that, across the 46 appeals, children have raised the equivalent of over £100m in today's money. The 14 Bring & Buy Sales have raised the equivalent of an estimated £57m.

Other items collected by the appeal include over 948,025,000 stamps, 19m aluminium cans, 800 tons of wool and over 1,450,000 pairs of shoes, including David Beckham's boots. 35. Between 1962 and 2007 the appeals have raised money to buy, amongst others, the following: two guide dogs, 25 life boats, eight flats for homeless people, 32 ponies , 57 lorries, three caravans, two day centres, six bungalows, 12 houses in Romania, 8,350 lavatories and three schools. 36. The Blue Peter lifeboats can still be found at seven lifeboat stations around the country. They've been launched over 4,600 times and have saved, up to 20 March 2008, 1058 lives. Blue Peter and Green Fingers 37. The Blue Peter Garden was launched on 21 March 1974. Percy Thrower was the first gardener and was awarded his gold badge in 1988.

The second gardener was Chris Crowder, followed by Clare Bradley and, currently, Chris Collins. 38. The Blue Peter Garden was vandalised three times – in 1978, 1980 and 1983 – before security cameras were eventually fitted. 39. TV executive Edward Barnes "nicked" the idea for the garden from rival series Magpie. Blue Peter babies 40. In 1968 it was decided that Blue Peter would feature a baby on the programme, to show viewers what it was like to have a little brother or sister. On 30 September of that year, baby Daniel made his first appearance at just 14 weeks old and made regular appearances over the next two years. 41. Presenters who had babies during the time they worked on the programme were Tina Heath, who had Jemma, and Liz Barker who had Dexter. In 1987, presenter Janet Ellis was the focus of national scrutiny when she had baby Jack out of wedlock. Incontinent Elephants and Beautiful Knockers 42.

Peter Purves attributes the blame for Lulu the incontinent elephant to editor Biddy Baxter, who allegedly asked Lulu's keeper to do without the stick he used to keep her under control. The ensuing chaos saw Lulu pee, poo and generally misbehave around the studio, dragging her gamekeeper through the mess. 43. Other memorable moments include Simon Groom's innuendo-laden: "What a beautiful pair of knockers", when commenting on a replacement for Durham Cathedral's historic door knocker; Mark Curry knocking the head off a LEGO model; and Diane-Louise Jordan falling flat on her face whilst covering John Leslie's run in the London Marathon. The Competitions 44. A competition to design a frock for presenter Caron Keating solicited responses from 69,928 debut dressmakers. In 1981 a competition to design a Christmas stamp generated 74,000 responses, and a contest to design a character for Aardman Animations in 2006 attracted 47,268 budding Nick Parks. Miscellaneous 45.

Children who appeared on the show and have gone on to be famous include: Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton and popstar James Blunt (then James Blount). Konnie Huq also appeared in 1989 with the National Youth Theatre before she went on to become the programme's longest-serving presenter. Richard Deverell, the current Controller of BBC Children's, appeared on the show in 1976 as part of a troupe of knitting scouts. 46. Blue Peter has many Royal friends. A young Prince Edward visited Blue Peter in 1969 and, in 1970, Valerie Singleton and HRH Princess Anne filmed their Royal Safari in Kenya. Her Majesty The Queen visited the studio in 2001 and was given a gold badge. Blue Peter's current presenters and a specially selected number of former presenters and production staff have been invited to The Palace to meet Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate the 50th anniversary. 47. There have been four Blue Peter time capsules. The first was buried at BBC Television Centre in 1971 and the second in 1984, when the first box had to be moved because of development at Television Centre.

Another was buried in 2000, which will be opened in 2029. There is also one hidden under the Millennium Dome/02 Centre which will be opened in 2050. 48. Blue Peter is the longest-running children's TV series in the world and the programme and its presenters have earned themselves countless records. John Noakes's Long Fall gave him a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest delayed drop by a civilian; Janet Ellis jumped 20,000 feet – a European record for a civilian woman; and Matt Baker's tandem hang-gliding also made the record books. 49. Blue Peter has won 40 awards, including two Baftas, a National Television Award and an RTS Award. 50. If you sat down and watched every episode of Blue Peter ever made, back to back, it would take around two and a half months – about the same amount of time needed to drive four times round the world. Blue Peter presenters... where are they now? | Radio Times Twitter Blue Peter presenters... where are they now?

As the Blue Peter badge celebrates its fiftieth birthday this week - we track down some of the most loved presenters of the iconic BBC children's show Comments 4:59 PM, 18 June 2013 Peter Purves On Blue Peter: 16 November 1967- 23 March 1978 The Blue Peter lothario (well, Valerie Singleton admitted to a brief affair with him so that makes him a lothario in our books) is now 74 and lives in Suffolk with his second wife, Kathryn. Unlike his co-presenter John Noakes, Purves managed to carve out a successful post BP career and even the dog he was given – Petra – saw him earn a place presenting Crufts (thus scaling the kind of giddy heights that Noakes and his beloved dog Shep could only have dreamed of). Other work includes presenting shows such as BBC1 motorcycling programme Kick Start and working as a pantomime director (directing more than 30 productions) and appearing as an after dinner speaker. Describing himself as a “terribly ordinary….

very straightforward and simple sort of person” he has expressed a degree of embarrassment in interviews about his sexually adventurous youth – especially regarding Singleton’s claim that he gave her a BSE – big sexual experience – when they worked on the show. Avert your eyes and ears children. John Noakes On Blue Peter: 30 December 1965 - 26 June 1978 Yorkshireman and pre-Peter Duncan Blue Peter action man, John Noakes is probably the grumpiest BP alumnus, if his many appearances on reminscence shows are anything to go by. Still, he looks back fondly to his work with Purves: "It was a bit like an overgrown schoolboy's job. I was Peter Pan really. I sometimes think I still am... Peter and me worked so well together, like Laurel and Hardy." If the tastes of the BP ladies were anything to go by he was probably more Hardy than Laurel as Purves and not Noakes apparently pulled both Valerie Singleton and Lesley Judd.

Never one to shy away from criticising the show, which he said never paid him enough and should have insured him for all those cer-razy stunts of his, Noakes' career was never quite the same post BP. Yes he remains the longest serving presenter (12 years and 6 months) and made Go With Noakes which he appeared on with his beloved Shep. But who remembers that? He's also written a children's book, The Flight of the Magic Clog, and in 1982 tried (unsuccessfully) to sail around the world. He has more recently appeared on I'm Famous And Frightened and Worst Celebrity Driver and still lives, we believe, in Mallorca. Simon Groom 5 May 1978 to 23 June 1986 This writer’s favouritest ever presenter (I used to watch him walking his gorgeous Golden Retriever dog Goldie near my house in the early 1980’s) Groom was notable for making sexual innuendos; (“what a beautiful pair of knockers”, “as long as you have a good length you can always manage a good lay” etc.).

Apparently the trick was to say them and get out of the studio before a furious Biddy Baxter could come down from the gallery above and berate him. Groom had a cool side – he was spotted by the show when working as a DJ (stage name Neil St John) and enjoyed a stint presenting various TV and radio documentaries and remained the show’s countryside correspondent after he left in 1986. He now lives in Matlock, Derbyshire where he heads his own television production company and has enjoyed his time presenting Groom's Gold - "two hours of great music and nostalgia to brighten your weekend" for BBC Radio Sheffield. Mark Curry 23 June 1986 - 26 June 1989 One of the early 1980’s dream team of Curry, Keating and Fielding, this popular presenter has enjoyed a *ahem * quiet life since leaving the show, appearing in panto, satellite TV travel shows, hosting Catchphrase and having a bit part in Last Of The Summer Wine. He also co-presented Record Breakers for a while, so it is clear that his main interests appear to be outside TV.

A qualified tennis coach, he has commentated at Wimbledon for BBC Radio 5, Radio Wimbledon and for Talk Radio Europe and in 2009 married his long-term partner Jeremy Sandle in a civil ceremony. Peter Duncan On Blue Peter: 11 September 1980 to 18 June 1984 9 September 1985 to 27 November 1986 One of the most popular presenters, famed for running marathons and for his daredevil stunts, he was unusual for enjoying two separate stints on the show – between 1980 and 1984 and 1985 to 1986 sandwiching the unhappy career of the late Michael Sundin who was fired by Biddy Baxter (allegedly for not gelling with the audiences). Daredevilry saw Duncan win many fans and he was given the show Duncan Dares after he left BP for good. Also enjoyed appearances on stage – he was nominated for an Olivier Award for best actor in a musical – and for raising the profile of the Scouts when he worked as Chief Scout between 2004 and 2009.

Tim Vincent 16 December 1993 - 24 January 1997 One of the most successful BP presenters, this son of the Valleys (by which we mean he’s Welsh) was already a successful actor when he joined the show, and combined his presenting work by playing Marty in two series of the BBC1 drama Dangerfield and as a presenter on The Clothes Show. He left the show in 1997 and later presented the Saturday show Fully Booked before returning to play vet Adam Forrester in Emmerdale. Vincent also appeared on stage where roles have incdued the priapic gamekeeper Mellors in a stage production of Lady Chatterley's Lover. He now lives in LA where he presents NBC’s Access Hollywood, one of America’s most watched shows. Katy Hill 23 June 1995 - 19 June 2000 A popular girl next door-style presenter, Hill left the show to become one of the four presenters hired to replace Zoe Ball and Jamie Theakston on Live and Kicking.

Unfortunately, poor ratings saw her quit less than a year later, but she has since managed to land presenting gigs on Top of the Pops, Football Fever and the weekend breakfast show on 95.8 Capital FM. Hill also came second in Channel 4 reality show The Games. Married to fellow TV presenter Trey Farley she has two children and lives in West London. Meet the 10 aspiring Blue Peter presenters - Telegraph TV and Radio Meet the 10 aspiring Blue Peter presenters The 10 aspiring presenters who will compete on Blue Peter - You Decide! to determine the show's next host were announced today by the BBC. The 10 contestants hoping to become the next Blue Peter presenter Photo: BBC/Andrew Hayes-Watkins By Rupert Hawksley 3:20PM BST 10 Jun 2013 The 10 hopefuls who will compete to become the 36th presenter of Blue Peter, the world's longest running children's TV programme, were unveiled today. More than 20,000 people auditioned for a place on Blue Peter - You Decide!, and the winner will be decided by the CBBC viewers who will vote for their favourite.

Celebrity judges Myleene Klass, Eamonn Holmes and Ceallach Spellman will be casting an eye over the ten contestants, as they are put through a series of challenge-based heats. Whether or not the contestants will be expected to present a link whilst bouncing on a trampoline or control a particularly uncooperative pet whilst simultaneously conducting an interview remains to be seen, however. As the show progresses, contestants will be eliminated by the judges until only three remain, but it is the viewers who have the final say on the winner. The first Blue Peter programme was broadcast on October 16, 1958, and was presented by Christopher Trace and Leila Williams. Other notable incumbents of the job include Peter Duncan, Richard Bacon, Matt Baker and Konnie Huq, who was the longest-serving female presenter in the show's history. The role has often been seen as a launch pad into other media work. Related Articles Britain's Got Talent, live final 08 Jun 2013 The winner of Blue Peter - You Decide! will be hoping they can avoid what has become known as the "curse of Blue Peter", however.

A number of previous presenters have run into difficulty after details of their private lives emerged in the press, most notably when Richard Bacon was sacked in 1998 after it was revealed that he had taken cocaine. The Final Ten Ben Hunte (BBC/Andrew Hayes-Watkins) Ben Hunte A degree in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience may not scream 'entertainer' but Ben's experiences travelling the world, climbing mountains and eating insects should more than qualify him for the role - he's certainly unlikely to be fazed by the more unusual tasks. Ben says: “I’m unlike anyone who has been on Blue Peter before and I’m up for anything. I’m always laughing and constantly looking for opportunities to try something new." Don't rule out an appearance on I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here further down the line. Freddie Ingleby A love of animals, Matt Baker and the great outdoors should help his cause but, although Freddie presented two radio shows at university, he has never been in front of the camera before. In true Blue Peter tradition, expect some gaffes. Freddie says: “I’m energetic, enthusiastic and committed.

I don’t shy away from anything, and I smile a lot – I’ll genuinely do anything that’s asked of me without hesitation and with a smile on my face." Ross Exton Newport-born Ross has his own YouTube channel where he creates educational videos teaching the online world all about his love of science. A black belt in Taekwondo proves he's got an adventurous side but what he's like with glue and scissors remains to be seen. Ross says: “I’m enthusiastic and think I have the ability to inspire viewers to explore the world and do whatever they want to do in life. That’s what Blue Peter is all about – it’s about making kids excited about new things and showing them its okay to ask questions and go on adventures." Isaac Jones (BBC/Andrew Hayes-Watkins) Isaac Jones Isaac has spent the last year working with club promoters, interviewing guest DJs - material that may not lend itself naturally to Blue Peter's demographic but he assures us that his real passion is children's TV. He's more than capable in the kitchen as well. Isaac says: “I’ve watched the show for years and love it. I think I could be a breath of fresh air and bring something new to the programme.

Every presenter has their own style and I think mine is creative and current. I’m only 19 so in many ways I’m an average teenager, but I think my creative flair sets me apart." Andy Shepherd Andy has impeccable qualifications for the role. He recently worked as a sports presenter for the online channel, SBTV, and has spent the last year travelling up and down the country interviewing stars of screen, pitch and track. Andy says: “I am who I am. There’s no-one like me. I love travelling and adventures. I think my friends would say that if there’s something I want I really go for it and try to achieve it." He jokes that he would celebrate victory "by making a Tracy Island!" The Girls Emma Bensley (BBC/Andrew Hayes-Watkins) Emma Bensley Likely to be one of the favourites to take the crown, Emma is a primary school teacher who has to entertain staff and pupils every week in assembly. She runs two school choirs, while her experience of art and craft will allow her to say, "Here's one I made earlier" with a completely straight face. Emma says: “I don’t put on an act, I’m just me and I think that’s important.

Blue Peter presenters should be likeable and someone kids can relate to. I’m full of energy, positive and willing to give anything a go." Kerry Boyne Dancing queen Kerry has an ambition to beat John Noakes’ record as the longest serving Blue Peter presenter, who stayed for 12 years. She attended the Brit School before graduating from the London Studios Centre in 2010 having trained for three years in dance and performance. Kerry says: “Blue Peter presenters have a lot of energy, passion, and have a real connection with the audience, but are still able to show who they are so people can relate to them. I feel like everything in my life has driven me to be where I am now. It’s made me feel comfortable with myself and I really want to inspire others to do the same." Hephzibah ‘Hettie' Colquhoun Somerset-born Hettie is a charity fundraiser who has amassed £250,000, completed the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and travelled all over the world. Not troubled by eating creepy crawlies or riding elephants, she has no experience but hopes to be a "diamond in the rough".

Hettie says: “I think I could bring a different element to the show and shake it up a little. I’m interested in different cultures and am fresh and different. I don’t have any presenting experience at all but am willing to work hard and learn." Lindsey Russell (BBC/Andrew Hayes-Watkins) Lindsey Russell Plenty of acting experience should help with any nerves for French-speaking Lindsey, who has performed in an award-winning comedy show at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival and presented theatre workshops for The National Youth Theatre. She describes herself as "quite clumsy", which might endear her to audiences... whilst terrifying the producers. Lindsey says: “I think I’m bubbly, fun to be around. I am full of energy and think I’d make a good Blue Peter presenter as I know how to translate this energy to the viewers. I think that’s what makes me different – apart from my bright red hair and the fact that I’m really short. I have loads of enthusiasm and I’m always smiling. I’m quite clumsy too!" Shona Summers Shona works behind the scenes on ITV's Daybreak but has clearly been inspired and wants to pursue a career in front of the lens.

Shona says: “I’m always up for a challenge and love learning new things. I think I have an infectious personality and will hopefully get people excited about what I’m doing. I think I’m a girlie girl with an edge – a real go-getter." Blue Peter presenter John Noakes has gone missing from his home in Majorca Update: John Noakes has been found and taken to hospital for checks, his wife has confirmed. You can read the full update here . Original Story: Former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes has gone missing. The 81-year-old left his home in Majorca to go for a walk at around 8.30am local time this morning (June 30), and has not been seen since. © Getty Images Gareth Davies Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Local police have yet to formally report him as missing, but there are concerns over his safety due to the fact he has Alzheimer's disease. His wife Vicky said: "I'm sure he'll turn up. It's just that he's gone missing on the hottest day of the year so far." Se solicita colaboraciÃ³n ciudadana para localizar a hombre desaparecido.

VestÃ­a pantalÃ³n corto azul marino y camisa... Police have begun searching for Noakes with the help of Civil Guard officers, and are following the route he takes on a regular basis. He was last seen wearing marine blue shorts and a white and blue T-shirt. Noakes remains the longest-serving Blue Peter presenter after fronting the show for just over 12 years, from December 1965 until June 1978. Anyone who has any information on John Noakes's whereabouts is encouraged to contact (+34) 690 149333 or (+34) 971 671873. Blue Peter veteran John Noakes, 81, found after disappearance in Majorca - Telegraph BBC Blue Peter veteran John Noakes, 81, found after disappearance in Majorca The Blue Peter presenter was taken to hospital after being located by police on the Spanish island.

He is understood to be suffering from Alzheimer's Former Blue Peter presenter John Noakes with Shep Photo: BBC Hannah Furness and Gerard Couzens 10:00PM BST 30 Jun 2015 John Noakes, the former Blue Peter presenter, was being treated in hospital on Tuesday night after going missing from his Majorcan home for more than nine hours. Mr Noakes, who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, was reported missing by his wife Vicky, with police launching a major search on land and at sea amid concerns for his welfare. He was later found lying dehydrated near blackberry bushes in 35C heat before being airlifted to hospital. The 81-year-old broadcaster, beloved by a generation for his time on children’s television, was not seriously injured, according to his family. Mrs Noakes, 71, said she was “very relieved” after he was finally spotted, hours after he slipped out of his home without water, money or identification.

Mr Noakes is cared for by paramedics after his ordeal (Solarpix.com) She added she believed her husband of more than 50 years had “lost his bearing and strayed off the path” before falling into a “sort of storm drain” and being waylaid. She had reported him missing to police at 9am on Tuesday, after noticing he had left the country home they share near Andratx, Majorca, and apparently disappeared. The authorities launched a major land and air search as summer temperatures soared, with a Civil Guard mountain rescue team joined on the ground by firefighters, local police, civil protection workers. Members of the public, local well-wishers and friends of the couple also joined the search, as news spread among concerned fans. John Noakes A police helicopter was mobilised mid-afternoon as the initial hunt for the Blue Peter veteran, whose fight against Alzheimer’s disease had previously been unknown outside of his close circle of family and friends, proved fruitless. Speaking minutes after he was found and airlifted to Son Espases Hospital in the Majorcan capital Palma, Mrs Noakes said: “I’ve just heard the news and am obviously very relieved.

“I’m going to take 10 minutes out with a cup of tea and then head straight to the hospital to see him. “I’ve been told he’s not injured in any way, but I imagine he’s dehydrated after being more than nine hours without water under a scorching sun and I assume they’ll keep him in hospital overnight to rehydrate him and check he’s okay. Vicky Noakes pictured outside the family villa “The emergency services have been wonderful and I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who’s shown their concern.” Fears for the safety of Blue Peter’s longest serving presenter, famed for his memorable catchphrase ‘Get Down Shep’ during his attempts to control the show’s excitable dog, had been growing throughout the day. Mrs Noakes described how she had initially caught up with the broadcaster in her car, after noticing he had left the house, but had lost sight on him after turning into a side street to park. The Civil Guard confirmed their helicopter had found Mr Noakes alive “but in need of medical attention” just before 7pm local time near Andratx.

An officer said: “Fortunately we found him when we did because another couple of hours with night closing in, the search would have been suspended till tomorrow and then it could have been a different story.” Police pictured during the search for John Noakes Mr Noakes trained as an aircraft engine fitter for the RAF before deciding to become an actor. He joined Blue Peter as a presenter in December 1965, fulfilling the role of action man in the series, which he helped present for more than 12 years. After leaving the show, he went on to make several television appearances and write a children’s book, before sailing around the Mediterranean and finally settling in Majorca. BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Talking Shop: Konnie Huq Talking Shop: Konnie Huq Konnie Huq, Blue Peter's longest-serving female presenter, is leaving the show on Tuesday after 10 years. She has faced challenges from feeding sharks to dissecting a deer, but now feels it is time to try something new. Huq reveals what has made her squirm on the show, how her fan mail can be a mixed bag and what she plans to do next. Why are you leaving?

Top five memories Well, 10 years is a good innings and it's good to leave on a high. I'm still enjoying it but I'm ready - I wouldn't say I've burnt out - that sounds bad, but I've done my time, and I'm ready for a bit of a rest maybe. What does it feel like to be the show's longest-serving female presenter? It's bizarre because it has gone really quickly. It feels like 'Oh, am I worthy of that title?' because it's just flown by. I'm 32 now and was 22 when I started, fresh out of uni. John Noakes is the longest-serving presenter overall - trust him to rain on my parade! What were your best and worst moments on the show? Worst moments - recently it wasn't so great with "Catgate" and telephone line-gate and all of that [when the show had to apologise for the high-profile rigging of a poll and faking of competition results] - that wasn't brilliant. And my best moment - I know it sounds cliched, but I guess it was joining the show. It has opened the door to so many opportunities and experiences and travel to all those different places.

Have you ever had any unusual fan mail? Yes - Blue Peter I think attracts unusual letters, I think there's something about it, where you attract a lot of interesting people just by the nature of the show. Often we're interviewing fanatics on this, that and the other. There was this bloke - I think they sent the BBC investigations department round to his house - he seemed to think I was having his baby, which was a bit odd, and he had that really jaggedy writing. We do get odd letters, it's quite funny, it can keep us amused - we don't get shown all the mail, though. There's a department that just answers mail because there's so much of it. When we have a competition it quadruples the load. What do you think about how the show has changed since you started presenting it? The good thing about Blue Peter is it updates with the times. More recently it's changed a lot more - it's very into surprises and challenges, which is probably a good time for me to be leaving, as I'm not good at this You've Been Framed-type stuff.

The other day I was told that I had to start filming at 4am at Billingsgate Fish Market and I was like - "but I'm leaving" - and they were like "well actually it's for BBC Vision, it's just this in-house thing and they really wanted you to do it, can you do it as a favour to the department". So I was up at 3am in Billingsgate Fish Market, and it stinks there, and I was meant to be going filming to a spa with GMTV afterwards, smelling of fish. Konnie's foreign expeditions for Blue Peter included Japan in 2005 All these people there were really odd, but then I quite like odd, quirky contributors. This guy was enthusing about fish, and we do have all these crazy people on our show who are quite passionate about this, that and the other. And then this table of fish falls down, and I said "this is a wind-up isn't it?", but they just carried on. And then they made me dissect this octopus. But the thing is, on Blue Peter they've made me dissect a deer before. So although it was supposed to be a gag, it was nothing out of the ordinary.

It was a wind-up - the other three presenters appeared - for a show called Blue Peter Meets Prank Patrol! So they've got nine minutes of that on my leaving show. When I was filming in the Bahamas, diving with sharks, I said, "Could you use this as my leaving film?" and they said "No, we've got something else in mind." And it's stinking Billingsgate Fish Market! I wasn't that keen on it but what can you do? I'm so used to doing gross things, they send people down sewers and all sorts, that I didn't go "urgh". What was it like having to apologise on-air for the rigging of the vote to name the show's cat? You know what - I didn't do the apology for that. My agent said "she's apologised enough" so the other presenter did it and I got to introduce the new cat. I think people just assume it was me. Blue Peter will be 50 this year - are you involved in the celebrations? I hope I will be but as of yet I don't know what they've got in mind.

I don't think they'll be celebrating it on children's TV, I think it will just be on grown-up telly. Who is your favourite Blue Peter presenter? Ooh, well as a child I used to really like Simon Groom. I think I thought he was cool - that says a lot about me, doesn't it? What are you doing next? I think put my feet up. I've lined up lots of corporate work because suddenly I can do those - our schedules are so manic on Blue Peter that I couldn't do much, so now I've done the hard slog. It's random things. One thing is I'm going to this resort in the Canary Islands and being paid loads of money to just to large it up in this resort - it's weird, the corporate world and what you get. What about acting - you had a part in BBC One series Robin Hood I got Maid Marion killed - I was a baddie. With the full-on Blue Peter schedules it's difficult to fit anything else in - and with that part Blue Peter asked to do a behind-the-scenes film, so now I'll have time to have meetings and plan what I'm doing.

With Gethin doing Strictly Come Dancing we were a man down so it was even more manic - there was just no time for anything else. Konnie Huq talked to BBC News entertainment reporter Helen Bushby.

Question: On the show for over twelve years, who is the longest serving 'Blue Peter' presenter?
Answer: JOHN NOAKES